Seta Sōjirō

, meaning "immediate killing by Tenken". It is named this because the speed behind the attack is so swift that the opponent dies instantly before falling to the floor.

Plot overview

Sōjirō first appears when he assassinates Okubo, who is on the way to a meeting. Sōjirō's usage of his superhuman speed allows him to enter Okubo's carriage unnoticed. Disgruntled Samurai are already on their way to kill Okubo, but Sōjirō finishes him off before they can, although it is the samurai who officially take the credit (the real-life Okubu being killed by them).Later, after Senkaku is defeated by Kenshin, Sōjirō duels with Kenshin using Battōjutsu, resulting in a tie due to the breaking of their swords. Sōjirō is then assigned by Shishio to gather the Juppongatana located in the East side of Japan.

When Kenshin finally arrives at the Room of Reduced Space in Shishio's lair, he finds Sōjirō waiting for him. When Sōjirō's true emotions surface, they duel one last time, with Kenshin using the Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki, while Sōjirō uses his own technique ending in a victory for Kenshin. Right before Kenshin used the Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki, Sōjirō finds the truth of it.

Sōjirō informs Yumi of the key to Kenshin's ultimate attack and asks her to tell Shishio. She agrees, but before she can leave, Sōjirō asks her for one more favor. After Shishio dies, Sōjirō becomes a wanderer seeking to find his own truth.

References